Grand Rapids MI vs Great Falls MT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 60,412 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 1.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 4.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Great Falls
$35,968
Great Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $63,934 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $35,968 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 28.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
$337,690
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $337,690 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1984 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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